Bonnaroo?

hey guys, ive got some questions about bonnaroo!

i really dont want this thread to become an argument about whether or not Bonnaroo has the right vibes or not, or whatever. be respectful, please.

alright, so i might go to bonaroo this year, if i can get a ticket for CHEAP! do people ever put them on ebay? or is it better to buy them straight off the site? (ie, are they cheaper on the site)... if i dont end up going this year, i am most definately going next year!

so, what should i expect at bonnaroo? how easy is it to.. bring certain things in with me? how hard do they search you, if they search at all? what things should i most definately bring?? do they sell ice there? i think i heard someone saying all the prices are super outrageous, and they probably are... can anyone confirm that?? ive noticed that if you bring an RV, you have to park in "special RV parking"... does anyone know where that is?? is it in the middle of nowhere, because that would suck... lol.. basically, just gimme some tips!

thanks so much guys!

 

I say stick to the smaller fests mama..

 

wish I had answers, but this is going to be my first bonnaroo as well...as for cheap tickets, I don't know about e-bay but I have seen people putting tickets up for less than site prices (it was either on this forum or one of the others I visit) due to being unable to go

 

You might be able to find a cheaper ticket from some one you know. A lot of people bail out closer to the fest. I doubt ebay would have cheaper tickets but it wouldn't hurt to look. Just keep your ears peeled for any friends wanting to get rid of theirs.

They search your car on the way in. I think they are mainly looking for hidden people without tickets. They also search you on the way into centeroo (where the bands are).

They do sell ice. It is very expensive so make sure you close your cooler tight. Watch your cooler too they do get stolen. I keep mine in my tent and have never had a problem. Get dry ice on the bottom of your cooler and keep the regular ice on top of that. The dry ice will keep your regular ice frozen for much longer.

There are a few RV parking spots throughout the campgrounds. Last year I was camped very close to the back gate into Centeroo. There was an RV section right by the back gate. Or you could get stuck out further. It is not that bad of a hike. You are young so it will be no problem for you.

Bring lots of sunscreen and put it on! Make sure you have the right clothes. It rained last year and the grounds turn into a swamp so think about bringing rain boots (wellies). It is very hot during the day. Bring lots of water.

Have fun!! I have been all three years and it is an incredible experience.

 

you possibly could get a ticket for cheap if you wait til the last minute, but it's more likely you would just get it at cost, and it's fun to know for sure that you're going. honestly though, it is worth every penny as long as you take advantage of all bonnaroo has to offer.

If I were you, I would go this year and not wait another year because it seems to get more commercial each year

just be careful/discreet when you need to be, and you don't need to worry about certain things... I did not get searched ever, they did glance in my backpack. every line is different, some search harder than others.

they do sell ice, but it can be a pain in the butt. often the lines are super long, and it depends where you are parked/camped. last year we were parked super far from centeroo, and I think we got ice more easily. people would leave and come back with a car load of ice to sell. there are also big trucks selling ice. I don't think the prices are super outrageous, considering the situation, but I would leave centeroo to buy food and stuff most times cause it was cheaper on the lot, but they donate a portion of sales from liscensed vendors to local charities, so I bought stuff inside a few times too. but you could eat grilled cheese all weekend for $1 a pop.

I don't know anything about the rv situation... but there was a lot of parking/camping last year that was in the middle of nowhere here is a cool aerial picture from last year: http://www.bonnaroo.com/autogallery/2004/photos04/viewer.aspx?file=Taylor%20Crothers_117565816_site_photo2.jpg&artist=Aerial%20Photos&img=2&max=4&day=Sunday


um, expect to get really hot during the day, and if it rains, really cold at night. ponchos and SUNBLOCK and warm clothing for the evening, come ready to walk, expect that you will probably not see half the bands you want too, come with an open mind to new music, and go with the flow... make sure you have a day off to recover when you get home. don't assume that you will be able to sleep in (at least being in a tent you can't) it is way too fucking hot. ALWAYS bring tp. bring lots of water, you can buy it for a dollar, but I just bring my own

check out the comedy tent, the movie tent is cool too

don't worry about the bonnaroo bashers, I go to really small fests, medium ones, and bonnaroo, and I enjoy them all for what they are.

 

If you go in early the RV parking was not bad, not so far. Later on I don't know, but getting there early is a definite plus in all ways. (Like Thursday). The ice I only had to buy once and it was $6 for 2 fairly small bags, about twice the price as at a c'store. Good idea about the dry ice too, thanks.

The tickets you can wait and see, maybe. I think a lot of people buy one or more and then can't go, or their friends back out, but don't hold me to that. Last year there were tix available for less than face, before the event, and not necessarily RIGHT before, depending on where you looked. 2003 it was a pretty hot ticket. 2002 I don't know. But every year is different so don't hold me to the ticket stuff, OK?

DO use the sunblock, I missed one spot and had a blister on that one spot. Painful. Very hot sun. Then very muddy (last year). Just be prepared for weather, like all fests.

quote:"don't worry about the bonnaroo bashers, I go to really small fests, medium ones, and bonnaroo, and I enjoy them all for what they are." Very true.
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I've been to Bonnaroo the last two years and If you haven't ever been there, go. Personally, I think I've put my Bonnaroo days behind me, mainly because of the heat. BE READY FOR THAT! It is hot my friend, and not a lot of shade. But nevertheless, Bonnaroo is a great experience. Just be careful about when you first go in. I was within the first 100 in last year and they had the Tennesee Drug Task Force pulling like every other vehicle to the side and doing a K-9 search Just pack smartly and keep your cool, or you could just wait because you can find anything your ever gonna want on the farm, AND DON"T FORGET TO DRINK WATER!!!

 

thanks so much for the suggestions guys... the dry ice im DEFINATELY gunna use that sounds like a great idea... is it SUPER SUPER packed? like, is there enough room for two cars per campsite, or not? ive gotten a couple more people to go with me, so now i think we are gunna need 2-3 cars... i dont know we'll see.. thanks so much guys, im gunna drink LOTSA water!

::edit:: would you guys suggest sleeping in yo car?? cause all of us have either vans or station wagons, and the seats fold down... good idea? or bad?

 

ebay tickets actually usually go for abit cheaper, unless 'roo sells out. If it doesnt sell out, expect to find them cheaper on ebay.

I dont know exactely where you live, but another thing you should/could do is go to 'roo without a ticket, and find someone there with an extra. It is abit risky, but quite likely to work, I know alot of people who do that.

 

Yes it is super packed. They park you in just like a parking lot. Make sure you stay in line with the people you want to be camped next to. You will pull in and park. Then between the next row of cars is where you camp. As soon as you get parked jump out of your car and throw your camping gear down. The staff will try to pack you in like sardines but if you get your stuff spread out they can't pack you in too tight. Once the next row of cars is behind you then organize your stuff

I would not sleep in the car. I would sleep in a tent. There is no shade in your car and if you put stuff in the window you will have no ventilation. Get a tent and a tent fan!!! I love my tent fan! That little thing sure did help last year.

 

prices for everything last year sucked, cept for the dollar grilled cheeses that go round all season =)!!!!!!!!!!!!! it cost like $5 to take a shower, so take your soap to the fountain and wash up there........................ and some of the camping is hella far away from the stages so get ready for some excercise!!!

 

oh, and for the record, I am bonnathrough with bonnaroo

 

I thought it was $5 well spent. I paid and my husband paid for a shower for all three days. I felt so good after taking an ice cold shower! I plan on taking a shower every day I am there again this year

 

I paid the $5 once for a shower, well worth it but got soaked in a thunderstorm that same afternoon, after that it was a moot point anyway, but glad they had showers available. FWIW, the potties were hosed out every morning too, at least where I was, fresh as a daisy. Those shit sucking machines were amazing.

I brought all my own water and food too, I won't pay crazy prices for basics. The music is all it's about. and that's the rub, too much music too little time is the main problem.

 

i wouldn't sleep in the car dearie. it's really hot.

ooooh i can't wait!

 

yeah most definately NOT sleeping in the car, i forgot it would get super hot... lol

how are walkie talkies during 'roo?

holy shit, i just looked at that photo.. holy MACKERAL! thats insane.. im soo excited!

 

yeah, it's huge! walkie talkies are a good idea, cell phones can be tough cause you might not have service, or there may be so many people using them the nearby tower gets overloaded. it's very good to have a way to communicate with the people you are there with, cause deciding to meet periodically can be a real pain...

 

good luck with bonnaroo this year sista, i might go... probably not tho, i think ill stick to the local festies this year, but prepare yourself for this experience, its really amazing, i hope it wont be so bad this year with mtv there, be sure to hit about a few smallerfests this summer too, i found i had way more fun at those
peace and love

 

:H catchy!!

 

I would definitely go this year. I've been every year since it started, and even though it's been fabulous every year, I would definitely agree that it is getting more commercialized. I love it though, nevertheless. My advice is to bring plenty of water, good, comfortable, durable shoes, a poncho, a waterproof tent, warm, dry clothes for the nighttime! I personally have never taken a shower there, I didn't even know where the shower facility was last year! They do have wash stations which are fine for a quick fix. I would just be prepared for our lovely TN heat. I'd bring your own food to cook too, because it is a little pricey to eat there all the time! Have fun and most importantly, bring an open mind. Oh, and what we do for "showers" is put the cooler on top of the car and unleash the drain. It makes for a VERY cold wakeup washdown, but it's so refreshing.